Laparoscopic gallbladder surgery
The gallbladder is a small pouch located under the liver, high on the right-hand side of the abdomen. It stores and releases bile, a digestive fluid that helps the body to absorb fats found in food. Many people form stones within the gallbladder. These gallstones can cause a range of symptoms, including pain, fevers and jaundice. Gallstones can predispose to other serious, even life-threatening conditions, such as pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) or cholangitis (inflammation of the bile duct). In people with symptomatic gallstones, removal of the gallbladder is recommended to alleviate painful symptoms and prevent these potential complications.
"Laparoscopic cholecystectomy" is an operation to remove the gallbladder using keyhole surgery. It is performed under general anaesthesia and involves four small incisions. The main advantage is a significantly less pain than open surgery and a much quicker recovery. The gallbladder is almost always able to be removed using this technique. Patients are usually able to go home the following day.
Suren regularly performs laparoscopic cholecystectomy, both in the elective setting as well as in cases where the gallbladder is inflamed. These cases often present via the hospital emergency department.